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Recent Comments:
Cockpit Chronicles: Video—Food in the cockpit. How it's prepared and what is served {Gadling}
Oct 13th 2011 3:02PM Hi Kent. Thanks for one of your very best posts. And thanks for FA Susan for her demos in the excellent video. Wow... I've long had an interest in how meals are prepared and plated in the BC and FC galleys. You and Susan covered a lot of territory in that short video. While the web has several interesting videos of international catering (Flight Kitchens?) operations, the on-board preparation magic is still largely a mystery. Obviously, the 'magic' is far more complicated than heating a cart of single-tub entrees for coach class meals. If you know of other videos or text reports of front cabin galley operations, I'd like to hear about them. (Seriously, I've never been able to find but scraps!) In years past, I've eaten for more than my share of BC and FC meals. Most quite good and usually served beautifully. I've become seriously curious about what and how the 'chef' FA in the front galley does to make it all come together so well. I'm glad to hear that your extra-long commutes are going OK and I look forward to the fuller report when the experiment is concluded. For my reading (and watching) pleasure, Crew Meals is easily one of your best posts. Thanks!! -Craig (of Cedarglen).
Prince Harry parties at Andaz San Diego {Gadling}
Oct 10th 2011 8:05PM Not bad for a Serving Officer in Grandma's Armed Forces. And just for the international PR value, the US State Department probably picked up the entire tab! Trainning Grandma's officers is cool, but the red head (and his 20 associates) ought to stick to business.
Pan Am: The first episode recap {Gadling}
Sep 26th 2011 11:46AM Probably a very fair review. In the end, it is one more reason that I do not regret trashing my TV about 12 years ago. I may be in the 1% class, but I just have no need for the alphabet networks of cable or whatever. Thanks, but I'll take a PASS on Pan-AM.
Gadling gear review: ExOfficio Sol Cool shirt {Gadling}
Sep 26th 2011 11:39AM Nice garments to be sure. A word of caution though: Buying more than one item will Break the Bank! These trendy garments are about 95% mark-up and not really worth the extra bucks. When all else fails, wear plain cotton!
Cockpit Chronicles: A captain's line check {Gadling}
Sep 20th 2011 4:51AM Thanks Kent, for a great post. Although line checks and recurrent training can be an an annoyance for some, they are an important part of the the important job. Those evaluations and periodic simulator training are darn near the only effective way to assure that ALL line pilots have and maintain the necessary skills. While your line may be different, I think most airlines now follow a "Train to Success," policy, one that does not threaten jobs unless a very serious problem is discovered. I hope that your airline has caught on to this smart move. With experience from another profession, I know that the refreshers can appear to be threatening at the outset, but they should not be. The smart folks consider them an opportunity to demonstrate their well-practiced skills and to prove their worth to t heir employer. Unions aside, why don't more pilots see it this way? We do not need big egos and overloaded pride bags oin the flightdeck. In the 2011 environment and beyond, I thought that most of you boys (and girls) were beyond that. Line check and recurrent training should not be feared, but enjoyed. I've often heard folks ask if they prefer a low total-hours pilot, think regional pilot who flies 5-6 links per day, to a higher hours pilot, flying as FO on long-haul interenational flights - and may personally fly (take-off and landing) one or two links per month. I don't know the answer, but that recurrent training and line observation is part of the package. What do you think?
On a different, far more interesting subject... How is life in Germany going. Having lived there myself, if some years ago, I'd love to repeat the experience. It is not possible, so I'll enjoy the experience by reading about your adventures. Whoops - there are no adventures, at least that I've been able to find. And of course, how is the commuting thing working. I;ve seen but one short hint. A lot more on both subjects would make for very fine reading, sir. How's that for a quiet, polite hint ? Best wishes, sir. P.S. Many pilots often say something to the effect that a junior left seat is always better than the alternatives. In your case, that may not be true. Staying senior in the right seat may give you the base and ability to hold schedule lines that suit your family needs for more than a year. You (and your family) may wish to remain 'over there' for well more than your experimental year. As friends tell me, 'A very senior guy, sorry - 'Pilot' in the right seat is not a bad thing...' I sure hope to see more and more frequent posts. Those commuting flights give you plenty of time . Best wishes, -Craig (Cedarglen)
Naval Museum in Madrid: an overlooked treasure {Gadling}
Sep 13th 2011 5:25AM Nice post. FYI: In English, the plural form of 'cannon' is cannon, not cannons.
-C.
Arnold Schwarzenegger museum opens in Austria {Gadling}
Jul 31st 2011 8:16PM Spare me! Have we not seen quite enough of this fellow? Some visit Europe (and Austria) to get away from him.
Cockpit Chronicles: Hitching a ride to Kentucky in Concorde {Gadling}
Jul 20th 2011 5:35PM Thanks for the preview. Yes, I think it will make quite a column. Considering the distance and the multiple legs, 14.5 hours is not all that bad. You probably had it planned to the minute and with three backups for every leg. Standing by...
-Craig
Cockpit Chronicles: Hitching a ride to Kentucky in Concorde {Gadling}
Jul 20th 2011 1:53AM Thanks for the note, Kent. I guess I forgot to allow for that wonderful vacation and family time . Looking forward to the post. -Craig
Cockpit Chronicles: Hitching a ride to Kentucky in Concorde {Gadling}
Jul 19th 2011 3:40PM Hi Kent! Thanks for a fun post. Many (most?) of your readers via various forums know that you moved your base from Boston to NYC and moved your family to Germany for a year or so. Readers understand that many (almost half?) of major line pilots commute. Your commute, a small town in Germany to NYC - and back is (humph, grins) one of the longer ones. With a couple of month's experience under your belt, how it the commute going? I'd like to hear about your experience and how well it is working for you. It sounds like a lot or airtime, but you probably have it tuned to the minute. Is it working OK? Regards, -Craig.
